Yankees Notes: Bullpen, Lagrange, Catcher

The Yankees enter deadline season with a four-game win streak and a 34-22 record, narrowing the gap in the Wild Card race. The Rays have dropped four straight after a sweep in Baltimore, keeping New York close. With a cushion in the standings and division contention, the Yankees are expected to pursue bullpen and catching upgrades. Relief pitching is typically more available than catchers, so most contenders add arms. New York previously traded for David Bednar and Camilo Doval, but neither has matched expectations for consistency. Bednar has strong strikeout, chase, and ground-ball indicators, while his ERA has been higher due in part to a high batting average on balls in play. The team may consider shifting roles or making another move depending on performance over the next two months.

"The Yankees are riding a four-game win streak after a convincing road sweep in Kansas City this week. They've improved to 34-22 to pull back within a game and a half of the Rays, who have dropped four straight after being swept in Baltimore."

"It's clear the Yankees will be approaching deadline season as buyers. They've built a strong cushion in the Wild Card picture and are probably still the favorites in the division. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic took an early look at New York's likely deadline approach, writing that the front office figures to be involved in the bullpen and catching markets. Jon Heyman of The New York Post echoes the latter target, reporting that the Yankees will evaluate trade possibilities for a right-handed hitting catcher."

"There's generally a far larger supply of relief pitching than catching at the deadline. Almost every contender will make some kind of bullpen upgrade, even if just in the middle innings. The Yankees were among the most aggressive teams on that front last July, trading for David Bednar, Camilo Doval and . All three pitchers are still around, but none has been as consistent as hoped."

"Bednar was at least excellent down the stretch last season. He's had a rockier go this year in the closer role. He's a solid 12-14 in save chances but has allowed a 4.70 earned run average across 23 innings. Bednar's strikeout, chase and ground-ball rates are all excellent. He's being plagued largely by a .369 average on balls in play that'll probably come down."

Read at MLB Trade Rumors